A biopolymer (e.g. DNA) sequencing system comprises a biopolymer capture element for capturing a biopolymer from a sample disposed on a substrate for receiving the sample which capture element is preferably provided by a helicase which further acts as a size exclusion molecular motor for delivering a biopolymer such as DNA to a discrete detection means associated with the capture element and the substrate. The detection means may detect signals or variances in a signal associated with the biomolecule and, in particular, components of the biomolecule (e.g. nucleotides or bases). The biomolecule may be returned to the sample. Highly efficient, high speed, low cost sequencing of biopolymers such DNA are thereby achievable.

A fluidic device for culturing cells includes a microplate and plate lid. The microplate includes multiple wells and channels, the channels extending between the wells such that the channels interconnect the wells. The plate lid releasably engages the microplate to thereby enclose the wells and the channels The wells include a culture surface such that a cell culture medium received therein is deposited over the culture surface. At least one channel that extends between adjacent ones of the wells is spaced from the culture surfaces of the adjacent wells defining a gap between the at least one channel and the culture surfaces of the adjacent wells for collection of the cell culture medium.

A system may comprise a voltage upconverter, a universal serial bus (USB) connector to receive an input voltage from a USB port on a computing device, and a microfluidic diagnostic chip communication link to electrically couple the voltage upconverter to a microfluidic diagnostic chip wherein the voltage upconverter is to convert the input voltage to be received by the USB connector to an output voltage sufficient to drive a pump on the microfluidic diagnostic chip. A diagnostic system may comprise a microfluidic diagnostic chip comprising a pump and a voltage upconverter to receive an input voltage from a universal serial bus (USB) port of a computing device and to convert the input voltage into an output voltage that powers activation of the pump.

A microfluidic chip for culturing and real-time monitoring of multicellular tissues and use method thereof. The chip comprises a glass substrate layer, and a PDMS microchannel layer located on the glass substrate layer, wherein the glass substrate layer comprises a glass substrate, and a plurality of microelectrodes thereon; the PDMS microchannel comprises a plurality of independent microfluidic channels; the microelectrodes on the glass substrate are in one-to-one correspondence with the microfluidic channels in the PDMS microchannel layer; and the microelectrodes are electrically connected to an external circuit. The use method comprises: cell capture, cell or tissue culture, electrical impedance spectroscopy detection, and tissue release.

One example provides a microfluidic mixing device that includes a main fluidic channel to provide main fluidic channel flow and a number of I-shaped secondary channels extending outwardly from a portion of the main fluidic channel. A number of inertial pumps are located within the I-shaped secondary channels to create serpentine flows in the direction of the main fluidic channel flow or create vorticity-inducing counterflow in the main fluidic channel.

A hydrodynamic barrier device including: a plurality of outlets disposed on a surface; a plurality of inlets dispersed among the plurality of outlets and disposed on the surface; and at least one pump in fluid communication with the plurality of outlets and the plurality of inlets, the at least one pump configured to simultaneously pump an operating fluid out of the plurality of outlets and pull the operating fluid back through the plurality of inlets to create a hydrodynamic barrier on the surface.

A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.

A lateral flow assay device comprising a conjugate pad for receiving a quantity of fluid; and a membrane comprising a test line for determining whether the fluid comprises a target analyte. In a first state of the lateral flow assay device, the lateral flow assay device is configured with a removable gap between the conjugate pad and the membrane which is substantially filled with air and prevents the fluid from flowing from the conjugate pad into the membrane. In a second state of the lateral flow assay device, the removable gap is removed from between the conjugate pad and the membrane causing the conjugate pad to come in contact with the membrane, allowing the fluid to flow from the conjugate pad into the membrane and the test line by capillary action.

Provided are devices for carrying out reactions, which in some embodiments can include a plurality of first, second, third, and fourth reservoirs disposed on first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are configured to move relative in to each other between first, second, third, fourth, and fifth positions to expose the first, second, third, and fourth reservoirs to each other or isolate the first, second, third, and fourth reservoirs from each other, as desired. In some embodiments, the devices include one or more detection windows that are substantially transparent to light in the ultraviolet (UV)/visible spectrum to allow assaying the extent to which a reaction has proceeded and/or to determine an optimal degree thereof. Also provided are methods for using the disclosed devices for performing reactions including but not limited to conjugation reactions as well as to optimize the same.

A method of operating a microfluidic device may include activating a fluid ejection actuator to eject an amount of fluid from a fluid ejection chamber through a nozzle, and activating a pump located within a micro-fluidic channel fluidically coupled to the fluid ejection actuator during a fluid ejection event to create a positive net flow from the pump to the fluid ejection chamber. The fluid ejection event may include a plurality of ejections of fluid from the nozzle.